If there is any team that has under-achieved the most in the Champions Trophy it is South Africa, who this time failed to make it to the semifinals despite enjoying the home advantage.

Graeme Smith's South Africans fail to clear the first hurdle after posting just one win in three matches, again sparking debate whether they will ever be able to break the big-event jinx.

South Africa have hosted three big tournaments — the 2003 World Cup, 2007 Twenty20 World Championships and the 2009 Champions Trophy — but have failed to win any of them despite the home-ground advantage.

They were expected to top the four-team Group A of 2009 event but lost the opening match to Sri Lanka. After beating New Zealand, they faced England in a must-win match.

South Africa were let down by bowling in the big game as they conceded 323 runs to England before finishing at 301 despite a career-best 141 by Smith.

"Obviously, words like disappointment come to mind. It's disappointing when you've played a knock like that and not to get over the line," Smith said after the match.

"There really are no excuses to be made anymore. It's the responsibility of the group of players to go and perform better in these (big) tournaments. This is a very disappointing moment for us."

Trophies outrank the rankings

South Africa had entered the tournament as the world's top-ranked team, but paceman Dale Steyn said after his team's exit that trophies were more important than rankings.

"You want to win silverware, you want to be known as a team that walks in to a competition and is able to dominate," said Steyn.

"Being ranked number one in Tests and one-dayers is a fantastic feeling, but every year it changes and it works on points. You won't be able to take home any silverware from that."

  • Read more on page two

    AFP

    Page: 1 of 2 - next
    RSS
    Digg
    de.li.cious
    facebook
    LATEST FEATURES
    In the hot seat with Ted In the first edition of 'In the hot seat', we speak to former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru.
    The Kingdom of Loftus (c) backpagepix There's something about Loftus that places it in its own class, writes Dan Nicholl.
    Prem stars on crime watch (c) backpagepix We take a closer look at Premiership footballers that have been the victims of violent crime.


    Print this page
    Send this article to a friend